It was Remus's first moon that year. And as it rose they boys got more agitated. They sat in the common room. The embers from the fireplace winking out as the smell of dead smoke wafted n the air. None of them able to say a word or fall asleep.

James absentmindedly fiddled with the hem of his pyjamas, his glasses slipping from the bridge of his nose. They'd all been on an edge, especially Sirius. James wondered briefly if it had anything to do with the old crone Walburga. Sirius had never said anything and James may not have noticed until his parents sat him down during the summer and explained.

"Not all parents are like us James. Some are what we call abusive, they hit their children."

"You've given me spankings as a kid." James had reminded.

"Most parents do when their children are misbehaving." His mother had said.

"I don't get it then. If he parents hit him he must be doing something wrong right?"

"James" started Fleamont. "There are some parents who hit their children without reason, or are unjustified in their reasoning. Your mother and I think that Sirius's parents may be like this. Don't say anything about it he may not appreciate it, but take care of him and his brother."

"Reckon he'll be hungry?" Asked Peter.

Well from what they read werewolf transformations take up a lot of energy.

"Probably." Answered James. "But he'll get breakfast right?"

"But maybe not the chocolate." Said Sirius. "He likes his hot chocolate."

"He also likes treacle tarts." Put in Peter.

"He also likes his toast without jam." Added James. "Fellow Marauders I think it's about time we look for the kitchens."

At least they had something to do. The three of them slipped nimbly under the invisibility cloak and came out of the portrait hole. The Fat Lady didn't scream or ask who it was. She merely sipped at her wine.

"If I were a Hogwarts founder where would I put the kitchens?" Asked James as soon as they were outside.

"We could follow a house elf." Suggested Sirius.

"You're brilliant."

"Where do we get a house elf?" Asked Peter.

But there was no house-elf in sight. They had probably all gone to bed. Sighing the three of them made their way back up to the tower feeling rather defeated.

On the way a door appeared once again on the third floor. The exact place where the toilet/broom-cupboard had been. But the door was smaller and more wooden looking. It was a strange door indeed.

"Well I really don't feel like going up to the dorms." Said James.

"Neither." Agreed Sirius, the midnight escapade was already bringing colour to his cheeks. They slipped off the invisibility cloak and opened the door.

They boys were delightedly baffled for inside was a huge storage room of food. Cheeses of all sizes shapes and forms were scattered about, with fresh fruit and vegetables littered about in plenty. The smell of freshly baked loaves and cakes wafted through the store room. A broom cupboard, toilet and a storage room?

It was a strange door indeed.

The three of them rushed forward and ransacked the room.

"You think we should get some fruit and vegetables?" Asked Peter eyeing the loaves of bread, tarts, cakes and chocolate that the boys were carrying.

"You kidding?" Asked James. "Half his sustenance is chocolate and he'll probably kill us if we tried to feed him broccoli."

Sirius gave a laugh as did Peter before taking more food and finally leaving to go to the hospital wing.

Madame Pomfrey looked up at them as they came in with huge grins on their face. Needless to say their pranking reputation left her quite apprehensive.

"What do you boys want?" She asked.

"We brought Remus food." Stated Peter.

"You needn't have." She said softening. "I could have done it myself."

"We know." Said James. "We wanted to help out, because you're probably busy too. With looking after him at the shack and all and then bringing him in..."

Madame Pomfrey smiled.

"Thank you dear." She said. "If you could help make the breakfast and set it nicely that would be lovely. I will have to get going now."

A chorus of "Now worries." "It's all good." And "You're welcome" rang through wing as the boys made their way to a adjacent room where they placed the food items on a tray.

When Remus finally returned they helped Madame Pomfrey with getting him into his pyjamas and bandaged his cuts. They all drew up chairs and sat by, grinning like the proud little idiots they were. Ignoring their tiredness. He seemed alright they observed. Not too banged up, though no-one tell with internal and mental damage or what not. Though that didn't concern them at the moment.

Remus awoke hazily to faces of his best friends and a huge grin broke out on his face.

"How the fu-"

"No!" Cried Peter adamantly.

"Fudge" completed Remus. "Did you get in here?"

"Y'know Sirius he can make goo-goo eyes at any girl and he gets what he wants." Replied James.

"That's not what happened!" Cried Sirius scowling.

"We got you breakfast." Said Peter with a huge grin.

A warmth filled him as they placed the tray on his lap. He looked at the food contents. He'll be damned if he didn't get diabetes with the amount of chocolate they had piled on his tray.

"Thanks." He said.

"The least we can do." Said James.

"How are you feeling?" Asked Sirius.

"A lot better now."

"And the uh scars?"

"Just a few to the chest." He answered. "It'll fade though, they all do eventually. Just not the ones from Greyback."

"We're gonna find a way to help make it easier." Vowed Peter.

"That's sweet of you and all but..." Remus face fell to the floor. "There's literally nothing you can do unless you all want to either die or get turned into...or become leading potioneers."

"There has to be something out there." Pleaded James. "There has to be."

Remus merely shrugged and dug into his food. They didn't breach that topic again. Instead they talked about other things. Like James's upcoming Quidditch trials, a place for a chaser had opened up since Sibyl Vane graduated last year.

"I got my broom back yesterday." Said James. "About time. You should try out with me."

Peter shook his head. "I'm too fat."

Remus grimaced. "That doesn't matter Elias Mohamed from Syria is also fat but he's the best keeper out there." Then he turned to James. "I don't want to because it'll tire me out. I prefer watching it to playing it."

Sirius shrugged. "I'll do it when another chaser spot is open don't want to ruin your chances just yet. I'm not very good at the other positions."

James looked slightly dejected before Remus said. "You should all probably change I'll be there by transfiguration."

~~~

Professor McGonagall walked around the room collecting the other's homework. As soon as she came up to Remus he blanched.

"I don't..."

He hadn't been able to do it. Realised James.

"Here you go Remus." Said James placing his own homework in front of Remus. "Sorry I stole it, it was bad prank, I know how much you care about your homework. Sorry Professor."

"Thank you James. Where is yours then?"

"I didn't do it." He said with finality. Transfiguration was his favourite class. He'd never missed his homework but now he felt no regrets. "Sorry."

The small glint in the Professor's eyes made him think she knew. But her words were heavy none the less.

"Detention this afternoon Mr. Potter."

The dispenser of justice must never look weak.

~~~

Because I had spare time.